Town reviews generator bids, approves $5,098 meter purchase and seeks reimbursement after contractor hit mains

At its meeting, the Palmyra board discussed several utility items: generator estimates, an immediate meter purchase and damage caused by a contractor that struck underground mains.

President Deborah Atkins moved to approve the purchase of meters from Midwest for $5,098.50. The motion was seconded and taken up; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. "Do I have a motion to approve the Midwest meters, $5,098.50?" Atkins asked; a member seconded.

Board members also reviewed three generator estimates. One estimate was described as a cap of $44,750 (which a participant said was not an option), and the others were priced at $54,850 and $61,900. Members discussed matching generator capacity to pump and system size and noted additional costs if fuel tanks or permanent hookups are required. One participant cautioned that buying mobile generators and adding tanks or LP infrastructure could push total costs higher.

The town attorney reminded the board about procurement rules: "we are required to accept the lowest responsible responses bid" for purchases above $50,000 that meet specifications, though the town may consider bidder integrity, reputation and experience. That guidance was given in the context of potential generator purchases that could exceed the $50,000 threshold.

Separately, members reported that a contractor (referred to in the discussion as Mainstreet) struck multiple water and sewer mains over the last two days and required extended repair work. The board asked staff to prepare an itemized accounting of labor and material costs and to forward that to counsel. The attorney said he would contact the contractor's COO in Greenville and would coordinate with county counsel about potential remedies, including a stop order if the contractor continued to damage infrastructure.

What happened next: staff were directed to assemble cost documentation for potential reimbursement and counsel said he would follow up with the contractor and county attorney. The meeting did not record a formal vote on generator procurement beyond the meter purchase, nor did it record a signed contract award or a bid tabulation for the larger generator work.